Max Kungel, the US army doctor who was found dead in his rented vehicle on Sunday in the backlands of Number 72 village Corentyne, Berbice was shot four times and relatives last evening expressed belief that not only was he a victim of robbery, but that he was lured to the secluded spot by someone he knew.
Police officials told Stabroek News yesterday following a post-mortem examination conducted by government pathologist Dr V Bridgemohan, the cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple gunshot wounds.
It was a close relative, who did not want his name published, who told Stabroek News that it was also revealed that Kungel of North Carolina, USA was shot four times. All the gunshots were to the left side chest.
Police had said in their press release that the 42-year-old, who was holidaying at Number 72 Village, Coren-tyne was found around 09:00 hrs with “suspected gunshot injuries”. Up to late yesterday no suspect had been arrested, but police were questioning four of the man’s close relatives.
The relative who did not want to be named told Stabroek News via telephone that he found it strange that the man ventured into the area where he was found. That spot is about approximately two miles away from the Number 72 public road. He opined that he strongly believed that the man was a victim of a robbery/murder since his values were missing.
The man said that because of Kungel’s height and build it would take more than one person to subdue him. He said too that the man must have been familiar with the killer to have ended up one the dam where he was found.
He said he had spoken with the man earlier this month and all appeared well with him.
The relative urged the police to work hard to catch the killer/s. “I glad if the police could find the person who did this,” the man said while stressing that Kungel was a jovial person who did not deserve such a death.
Kungel’s uncle, who identified himself only as Victor, had told Stabroek News that the family had received an anonymous telephone call from someone who said that Kungel had been found dead in the backdam. The uncle said when they went to check, they saw Kungel in his white Toyota Tundra with all the doors open. Kungel, according to him, was in the driver’s seat in an upright position.
He was apparently stripped of all his jewellery and cash, according to the uncle, who noted that, his wallet appeared to be empty and was found outside the vehicle.
He was last seen alive some time after 7 pm on Saturday.
Kungel and his sister had been in Guyana since March 7 to observe their grandmother’s first death anniversary.
He had worked in the US army for over ten years as a medical doctor.
